Maple News reports that Canada and Ukraine have formalized a new agreement aimed at enhancing immigration pathways and mobility between the two nations. The Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group, announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, is designed to strengthen immigration collaboration and offer more avenues for Ukrainian nationals to come to Canada.
This bilateral initiative will support the responsible management of migration while keeping Canada’s visa and immigration processes intact. Once travel restrictions due to COVID-19 are fully lifted, the working group will begin implementing strategies to facilitate streamlined pathways, including promoting Canada’s economic immigration streams to potential Ukrainian applicants.
Marking 29 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the announcement underscores Canada’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine. Since 1992, Canada and Ukraine have nurtured an enduring relationship, further solidified by the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement signed in 2017 and over $800 million in financial, humanitarian, and security aid committed by Canada since 2014.
Minister Mendicino praised the historical bond between the countries, highlighting the vibrant Ukrainian-Canadian community, which now exceeds 1.3 million people. “Through generations of Ukrainians who have made Canada their home, the Ukrainian-Canadian community continues to make outstanding contributions to Canada’s economy,” he stated.
As part of the new collaboration, the two nations also announced plans to develop a Canada-Ukraine Youth Mobility Agreement. Targeted for post-COVID implementation, this program would allow young people from both countries to travel and gain valuable work experience abroad, strengthening cultural ties and fostering economic integration.
The Mobility Working Group is expected to promote the exchange of best practices in migration governance, helping both governments navigate evolving global migration trends and labor market needs. Canada will use this platform to expand awareness of its skilled immigration channels among Ukrainian professionals and graduates.
This new partnership reflects Canada’s broader efforts to modernize immigration policy through global cooperation, supporting both economic recovery and demographic sustainability.